Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong, the Founder and Chief Executive Chair of the Jospong Group of Companies highlighted the importance of timely payment from government agencies to ensure the sustainability of waste management services.

“We want to assure that for the next 20-30 weeks, our capacity will go beyond 30-40 weeks… we have another 200 [projects/plans] from those who have [shown interest],” said Dr Agyepong on Wednesday, during a working visit by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sanitation and Water Resources to the Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACARP).

ACARP is in Accra, Ghana, within a 160-acre land.

It is the first state-of-the-art waste sorting and composting facility in West Africa, providing a holistic integrated approach to managing Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) within the city of Accra and its environs.

ACARP has a processing capacity of 600 metric tons per day and produces high-quality organic compost for agricultural and agronomical activities, as well as other recyclable products like plastics, paper, and metal scraps.

The Committee’s visit aimed to assess waste management practices and identify areas for improvement.

In his presentation, Dr Agyepong highlighted the Jospong’s innovative infrastructure and innovations, including 36 treatment plants, five wastewater plants, and plastic transfer stations.
He cited key challenges facing the sector as timely payment from government agencies, increased remuneration for sanitation workers, maintaining equipment and ensuring its longevity despite acidic waste, and support for workers and providing opportunities for growth and development.

Among the day’s discussions were international cooperation and knowledge sharing with ambassadors from various countries expressing interest in Ghana’s waste management practices.

“It has to do with all of us… we are part,” Dr Agyepong noted.

The Committee pledged to work towards a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to waste management in Ghana, focusing on supporting workers, improving infrastructure, and promoting international cooperation.

“We will ensure that we change the status quo in waste management in Ghana,” Mr John Oti Bless, the Chairperson of the Committee stated.